| Administrative History | Sir William MacGregor (1846 - 1919), Governor of Queensland, Australia, is one of Aberdeen University's most respected and distinguished graduates. During his career as colonial administrator in the South Pacific and Australia, he accumulated an extensive ethnographical and anthropological collection which he gifted to the University. This collection formed the core of the Anthropological Museum's holdings for this geographical region and remains so today.
In his role as honorary curator of the Anthropological Museum and as a personal friend of the MacGregors, Robert Reid was asked by Sir Thomas Taylor, University Principal, to write an appreciation of Sir William for publication in the 'Aberdeen University Review.' This was published as ' Sir William MacGregor' (Aberdeen: Aberdeen University Press, 1919). Further details of MacGregor's life and career are contained on this article. |
| Custodial History | This bundle of material was once in the Anatomy Class Library (shelf reference MISC C92 Sir Wm MacGregor). |
| Description | Proof and printed copies of Reid's appreciation of Sir William MacGregor, with research notes and related correspondence.
The correspondence includes letters from MacGregor's widow, Mary MacGregor,of Berwickshire, written shortly before her own death, late in 1919, his daughter, Helen Faden-MacGregor, of Switzerland and personal reminiscences from a small circle of his friends and colleagues, including Sir Ronald Ross, editor of Science Progress and William Watt of Strathdon Manse, Aberdeenshire. Sir Ronald Ross' letter recounts his own experiences in gaining acceptability of his cure for malaria, the support for his methods given by MacGregor whilst he was governor in Lagos, and a joint trip to Ismailia in Egypt to advise the Suez Canal Company on the same. William Watt is probably the son of the late Reverend James Watt of Strathdon, whom Reid mentions as nurturing the young MacGregor's academic potential and providing financial assistance for him to continue his education.
Reid sent reprints of the biography to approximately 30 individuals: a list of recipients with their letters of thanks is contained in this file.
There is also a small collection of other MacGregor obituaries and appreciations, one of his bookplates, and photographs of MacGregor in Colonial ceremonial dress, his birthplace at Hillockhead Cottage, Towie, Aberdeenshire and his grave in Towie Churchyard, Aberdeenshire. |